‘Waters’ developer doesn’t want special treatment

By Abigail Worthing

Staff Writer

SACO – Local developer Bernie Saulnier has publically welcomed the city’s new Director of Planning and Development Denise Clavette in a letter addressing his future project on Saco Island titled The Waters.

In his letter, which was sent not only to Clavette, but Mayor Marston Lovell, City Administrator Kevin Sutherland, all city councilors, local news sources, and shared on Facebook, Saulnier writes that although the project was set to present before the planning board on June 5, it was pushed due to time constraints, as the project was near the bottom of the agenda. In his letter, Saulnier requests that despite offers to hold a special meeting for The Waters, that Clavette and the planning board not make special allowances for the project. As this will be an estimated $40 million project, Saulnier believes it will require the full attention of the planning board and Clavette.

“This is a big project. I’m grateful he’s willing to give (Clavette) time to settle in. It makes sense to make sure she’s confident to move this project through the planning board process,” said Sutherland during a June 19 phone interview.

Saulnier requests that the planning board not consider the project until July 10 at the earliest.

When approached for more information about the project, a representative for the project said Saulnier’s earliest availability would be June 25.

Should the project have a successful planning board process, it will break ground in the fall, and is anticipated to include a boutique hotel, 96 residential units and retail space by its projected completion in 2020. The Waters will also include two small marinas and provide public access to the Saco River.